August New Releases

The dog days of summer are certainly appropriately named when it comes to music--this time of year is always slow--although I must admit that this summer was certainly better than last year's, with strong releases from La Roux, Little Boots, Moby, and Florence and the Machine, among others. And this month actually looks more like a fall month, with the long-awaited release of Whitney Houston's 6th studio album, plus a new albums from Arctic Monkeys, and...well, just look below.

Highlights:

Whitney Houston - I Look to You (Aug. 31/Sept. 1) After 7 dark years of decline, drugs, and divorce, Whitney Houston--one of the greatest pop stars of our time--is due to finally, finally, finally release her 7th studio album. Let's hope it's a good one, for Whitney Houston albums are few and far between, and the last one, 2002's Just Whitney, was rather disappointing. She's certainly lined up all the right names to make it success. Shephered by Clive Davis, the reigning king of the music industry, I Look to You features production and/or songwriting from Will.I.Am, Stargate, Alicia Keys, Dianne Warren, Ne-Yo, John Legend, R. Kelly, and David Foster, who famously produced several of Whitney Houston's biggest hits from The Bodyguard Soundtrack, including "I Will Always Love You." It's still up in the air what the first single will be: "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" was released and appeared to be the first single, but it's lukewarm reception may have led to some fast juggling, for I've read that "Million Dollar Bill" or possibly even "Call You Tonight" might get the honor instead.

Arctic Monkeys - Humbug (Aug. 24/25)
Other than Coldplay, no British band has had as successful a launch this decade as Arctic Monkeys, whose first two albums were both big sellers and critically acclaimed. Following a bit of a hiatus, during which member Alex Turner formed The Last Shadow Puppets, the Monkeys are back with their third album. James Ford, who produced their second album, as well as the Klaxons' Myths of the Near Future (and is The Last Shadow Puppets' drummer) is back for production duty along with Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme. First single "Crying Lightning" finds the band within their usual groove, churning out a tight little number with a prominent bass line and minor-keyed guitar melody.

Calvin Harris - Ready for the Weekend (Aug. 17) Since this is probably the only album released in August that will already have had two #1 hits--last summer's "Dance Wiv Me" with Dizzee Rascal and this spring's "I'm Not Alone"--Dance act Harris' second album promises to achieve a much bigger profile than his 2007 debut, I Created Disco. Third single, the title track, is hitting radio in the UK now.


Other releases:



Frankmusik - Complete Me (Aug. 3). Stuart Price (Madonna, Seal, The Killers) produces the British electro/pop artist's debut; includes current single "Confusion Girl."

Mr. Hudson - Straight No Chaser (Aug. 3). A Kanye West protege, British singer Mr. Hudson, releases his second album (first as a soloist without his band The Library). First single "Supernova" (featuring Kanye West) is A-List at BBC Radio 1.

Cobra Starship - Hot Mess (Aug. 11). The band behind hit single "Good Girls Go Bad" releases its third album.

Tinchy Stryder - Catch 22 (Aug. 17). Mr. Stryder releases his major label debut, featuring recent aptly titled #1 hit "Number 1," "Take Me Back" with Taio Cruz, and new single "Never Leave You" with Sugababe Amelle Berrebah.

Athlete - Black Swan (Aug. 24). Athlete follows up Beyond the Neighbourhood with its fourth album. First single, "Superhuman Touch," is due out the previous week.

David Guetta - One Love (Aug. 24). David Guetta's fourth album features quite a few high-profile guests. In addition to Kelly Rowland--who appeared on his recent #1 hit "When Love Takes Over," as well as another track on the album--look for Black Eyed Peas and Will.I.Am, Akon, Estelle, and Chris Willis (the vocalist on Guetta's "Love Is Gone").

Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of Day (Aug. 24). Another Kanye West protege releases his debut album, including hit single "Day N Nite."

Dolores O'Riordan - No Baggage (Aug. 24). Lead singer of The Cranberries releases her second solo album.

Imogen Heap - Ellipse (Aug. 24). Her third album.

Sean Kingston - Tomorrow (Aug. 24). Currently riding high with hit single "Fire Burning," Sean Kingston returns with his second album.

[Addendum: My fourth "highlight" album, Mariah Carey's Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, got moved to September.]